Namhansanseongsoju

Gwangju Namhansanseongsoju is a folk liquor handed down at Namhansanseong Fortress. Namhansanseong flourished so greatly under King Sukjong that it was called a 'little Seoul'. Because the area around the fortress lay close to Seoul, it had many wealthy residents, and the liquor is said to have originated with those living in comfortable circumstances who made and drank it there, becoming widely enjoyed all the way up to the late Joseon period. It is thought to have first been brewed in the reign of King Seonjo (r. 1567-1608), who built Namhansanseong Fortress, and to have later been presented to the king as tribute. The brewing ingredients are water flowing down from Namhansanseong, rice grown in the area, nuruk (fermentation starter) made from native whole wheat, and traditional yeot, a grain syrup boiled down and used in a way not found in other local liquors. When the nuruk is made, it is kneaded with water in which jocheong, a thin rice syrup, has been dissolved. Jocheong is added again when nuruk and water are mixed into jiebap, steamed and cooled white rice, to make the initial mash, and once more when the second mash is added. Adding yeot not only improves the liquor's aroma but also increases its keeping quality. Liquor fermented in this way reaches an alcohol content of around 13 degrees, and after distillation becomes a 40-degree spirit. As no other medicinal ingredients or additives are used, it is notably clear and clean. Namhansanseongsoju originates with Yi Jong-suk, who is said to have lived for generations at Namhansanseong and brewed the liquor there. He once ran a brewery in Songpa-gu, Seoul, where he also made a liquor called Baekje soju. Kang Sin-man, who made liquor at that brewery, received the secret method from him and passed it on to his second son, Kang Seok-pil. Following the death of the holder Kang Seok-pil, his son Kang Hwan-gu is now active as an assistant instructor for the Gwangju Namhansanseongsoju category.

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Where it is

Region

Gwangju, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Intangible Heritage · 시도무형유산